SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC }

OF THE PHILIPPINES }
First Regular Session } dateJUL

SENATE
S.B.No. 258 BILLS & INDEX

Introduced by SENATOR LACSON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

There is no doubt that corruption remains to be a major hindrance in the

development and progress of our nation. The integrity and trustworthiness of our
government will continue to be questioned until this perennial problem is finally
resolved.

The difficulty in combating corruption lies in its very nature of being committed
behind closed doors and well beyond the purview of the public eye. This is where the
importance of obtaining credible witnesses with reliable information regarding the
corrupt practices of government officials or employees comes into place.

This proposed legislation seeks to encourage whistleblowers to come out in the

open and put an end to the corrupt practices of some government officials or employees.
At the same time, it aims to strengthen the present machinery in ensuring the full
protection and security of these brave witnesses against any form of retaliation or
ostracism, and establish a rewards-and-benefits system in order to ensure the livelihood
and welfare of these whistleblowers. In order, however, to protect the public, a rigid
procedure will also be enforced in order to prevent any abuses of this bill as well as to
prevent false testimonies that will only wreak more havoc into our society.

In view of the above premises, the immediate approval of this bill is urgently
sought.

PANFJLIOTVI. LACSON
nator